Earning $150,000 without playing a single match makes being a Finals substitute incredibly rewarding.

The WTA Year-End Championships lit up Riyadh, offering a $5,235,000 prize to an undefeated champion, ranking it among the richest events in women's sports globally. Each participant gets an appearance fee, and winnings grow with every victory. Interestingly, what if a player earned a substantial sum without stepping onto the court? It sounds odd, right? Yet that’s exactly what happened in Riyadh—several WTA stars each earned $150,000 without playing a single match.

As one of the two singles substitutes, Aleksandrova stayed on standby courtside, ready to seize any opportunity. She just completed a breakthrough season, entering the world’s top ten for the first time, reaching late rounds in Grand Slams multiple times, and winning her fifth career title. Now, she waits patiently, prepared to replace any of the top eight players who withdraw. It’s a unique role—she must keep training, maintain her form, and stay ready, even though she might never get to compete.

However, the generous compensation makes waiting easier: substitutes who don't play any matches receive $150,000; if they play one match, they get $210,000; and if they compete in two group matches, their earnings rise to $260,000.

This year, Aleksandrova is the second substitute, positioned just behind world No. 9 Andreyeva, who has already qualified for doubles with compatriot Schneider. This means Andreyeva can collect doubles prize money plus $150,000 as a singles substitute, and if called up to play singles, her income increases further. Earning money while “waiting” is indeed a rare luxury, and both Russian players are enjoying this opportunity.

While Andreyeva battled on the doubles court, Aleksandrova was spotted watching from the stands of the King Saud University indoor arena in Saudi Arabia, observing the first day’s match where Swiatek dominated Keys 6-1, 6-2. She wasn’t the only substitute enjoying the moment—Serbian player Aleksandra Krunić, the first doubles substitute alongside partner Anna Danilina, took a similar approach. Each received a $62,000 appearance fee, and Krunić was even seen sitting courtside with her mother.

But being a substitute involves more than just “watching matches.” They must keep training, stay focused, and be ready to jump into action the moment the chance arises. It’s a delicate balance—enduring pressure while waiting and maintaining a competitive mindset in silence.

Last year’s WTA Finals reminded everyone of this reality. Navarro gave up the first substitute spot, so Kasatkina moved up as the top substitute, with Collins as second. When Pegula withdrew due to a knee injury, Kasatkina was urgently called to face Swiatek. Although she lost 1-6, 0-6, the match highlighted how crucial it is to always be prepared in the substitute world.

However, Andreyeva has been reflecting on the valuable opportunity she missed this year’s Finals. When she suddenly withdrew from the Tokyo Open, rumors quickly spread, with the tennis world speculating about visa issues—especially as the race for a spot in Riyadh reached a critical phase. That absence was costly—Paolini and Rybakina overtook her, pushing the young player down to a substitute position for the Riyadh Finals.

But Andreyeva finally broke her silence, clarifying the truth with honesty and grace. In an interview with AFP, she stated that her withdrawal was unrelated to visa or travel restrictions: “We had a team meeting and decided to skip that tournament. In hindsight, it was a mistake.” She admitted, “I guess that’s part of growing up; we’re all learning. This is only my second full season on the WTA Tour, so we’ll take this experience and avoid making the same mistake next time.”(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)